Disruptions to navigation in the Strait of Hormuz have pushed Gulf countries to seek alternative pipelines to secure their oil exports. Data from the International Energy Agency (IEA) shows that 14.95 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil passed through the strait in 2025. The IEA notes that of the 13.26 million bpd not including Iran’s exports of about 1.69 million bpd, up to 11.5 million bpd can be rerouted through pipelines.
Saudi Arabia raises capacity to 7 million barrels
According to the IEA, Saudi Arabia previously shipped about 2 million bpd of crude via the east-west pipeline linking Abqaiq to Yanbu. However, in March 2025, Saudi Aramco announced it had increased the pipeline’s capacity to 7 million bpd. This boost means 5 million bpd of the oil transiting Hormuz can now be exported via this alternative route. The U.S. Energy Research Institute reports that Riyadh is planning an additional expansion of 2 million bpd. Meanwhile, CNBC reports that the existing line currently carries 4 million bpd to Yanbu.
UAE to double capacity with second pipeline
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) previously bypassed Hormuz by shipping 1.1 million bpd via the Abu Dhabi Crude Oil Pipeline (ADCOP) to the port of Fujairah. The pipeline’s capacity of 1.8 million bpd offered room for an additional 0.7 million bpd. Last May, the UAE announced it was accelerating construction of a second, parallel pipeline. The Abu Dhabi Government Media Office said the project would double export capacity via Fujairah and become operational next year.
Alternative moves from Iraq, Syria and Turkey
The U.S. State Department announced in July that plans are underway to reactivate the main pipeline connecting Iraq’s oil fields to Syria’s Mediterranean coast, with Washington leading an international coalition to handle the technical and financial aspects. The project is initially expected to have a capacity of 2 million bpd. Separately, Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar announced a one-year agreement with Iraq for the effective use of the oil pipeline to the port of Ceyhan. Experts warn that political and investment challenges could delay the Syria pipeline project.
Kuwait and Bahrain plan to connect to Saudi network
Currently, neither Kuwait nor Bahrain has a pipeline that bypasses the Strait of Hormuz. According to the IEA, both countries have recently been in talks with Saudi Arabia to link their facilities to its pipeline network.
Iran to remain dependent on Hormuz
Andrew Wilson of shipping brokerage PRS said Iran exports 1.69 million bpd and will remain reliant on the strait because of the control it exerts there. “Iran will continue to maximize oil production and export the highest possible amount to China. This is not a major problem for them,” he said.
